Environment for the Americas

Start/End Dates: January 2025 - June 2025 (24 weeks) 

Compensation: $720 per week living allowance, $350 per month housing allowance, and $600 dedicated to uniforms and training

Application Due: (Applications reviewed on a rolling basis)

Environment for the Americas’ Diversity Internship Program seeks to engage ethnically and racially diverse young professionals in natural resource careers.

• Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
• Be between the age of 18 - 30.

*A personal vehicle is required for this position.

Position Description: 

Interested in outdoor education or a career with a public land agency? Join Channel Islands National Park’s education team as an Environment for the Americas intern. Engage K-12 students from Ventura County with the unique natural and cultural resources of the park. Develop resume-building knowledge and skills in public speaking, virtual and in-person education, interpreting park resources to the public, and more. Build your understanding and appreciation for the role of public lands and the opportunities they present.

About the Site

The intern will primarily be working at the Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at 1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 9300. The intern will occasionally travel to the park islands.

Travel to islands requires a 1+ hour boat ride. Work may occasionally require overnight stays on islands in park housing. The intern will occasionally travel to local school sites and community sites.

Work is primarily indoors with occasional outdoor assignments. Outdoor temperatures may range from 40° - 105° F. Work may involve physical activity including hiking, walking, bending, and lifting equipment up to 20 lbs. There will be times with extended periods of sitting or standing. During programs, interns are physically active for up to 3 hours.

Responsibility

• The intern will observe, assist with, and deliver education and interpretation programs to students and the general public. This may include delivering programs in the mainland visitor center, from the distance learning studio, and on the islands.
• Intern may participate in developing in-person and/or virtual synchronous and/or asynchronous education programs and/or videos.
• The intern may participate in the development and management of an education-focused volunteer group.
• Intern may participate in outreach events at local schools and within the community, communicating the natural and cultural resources of the park.
• The intern will work in the park visitor center and on the park islands, assisting with visitor information, orientation services, public education, and interpretive presentations.
• Intern will visit park islands to learn about and participate in resource and conservation efforts, such as native plant restoration on Anacapa Island.
• Intern may develop and/or edit, refine, or improve upon interpretive media products such as social media, Jr. Ranger book, event/visitor center written materials, etc.
• Available to work at least 40 hours per week, schedule variable based on park needs.
• Available between the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM PST.

Qualifications

• Be enthusiastic about being outdoors and working with students.
• Have the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
• Be detail-oriented, and organized, and demonstrate good time management.
• Have good oral and written communication skills and the ability to follow oral and written directions.
• Wear a required uniform when working with the public.
• Be comfortable with occasionally riding on a boat for 1+ hours.
• Maintain a valid state driver's license to operate government-owned or managed vehicles as needed to conduct work.
• Complete orientations and training related to park operations and cultural and natural resources, NPS mission, interpretation principles, and boat safety and travel.
  
  

Learning Goals:

Through structured training, access to and coaching by outdoor education professionals, and on-the-job learning, interns will increase their knowledge of outdoor education programming and practice both virtual and in-person learning. They will learn skills and techniques for program presentation for youth and how to effectively engage students in outdoor activities and dialogue.

Interns will learn and experience public lands stewardship, mission comprehension, and career opportunities. Additionally, they will learn about marine ecosystems, island flora and fauna, human history, and recreational opportunities.

Interns will increase their interpersonal skills by working daily with a cohesive team of rangers, interpreters, volunteers, and other agency interns from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Interns will learn useful employment-ready skills such as working with the public, group collaboration, and public speaking which could apply to a range of future careers.

EEO Statement

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training